Nober attacked in less than 1m of the start of the stage, and instantly rode away. The only other riders allowed away in the though start were Hupond and Huzarski. That was also the order in which they went over the first KoM sprint of the day.
The KoM Ferrari attacked 5km from the top and went over in 4th, netting a solid 10pts.
This was the order over the 2nd col of the day. Nober had a small fall on the descent but had no problems and a solid 2'00 lead on E2. Ferrari was caught on the same descent 88km from the line. E2, Hupond and Huzarski were caught at 49km, leaving just Nober with a 5'00 lead. This allowed Nober to take the intermediate sprint. The first of the big attacks was Fuglsang at 11.6km to go to the top, which was swiftly countered by Cunego. Voeckler then went at 9km to the top and got a small gap, and he caught Nober at 5.5km to go, just as the peloton caught him. Van Garderen used this as cover for his attack, which got him 20" on the lead group of 8. Caught by Fedrigo and Martin just before the KoM sprint the race was stretched across the final climb.
Fedrigo took the sprints and lead the descent, dropping Martin. He also held off Van Garderen in the final sprint to claim his second win in 2 days.
The BOTD formed very early, inside the first 10km and held 9 riders; the KoM Ferrari, Saramontis, Bernucci, Cretskens, Russ, Kottel, Henig, Benetseder and Bak. Ferrari won the early big climb, which was enough to gaurantee him the KoM jersey at the end of thar race. He then took 3rd over the next climb just to be sure. The peloton decided that today was a day off, and the break gained a maximum lead of 17'46, with 20km to go. Russ has a fall on the second climb and was lost from the lead group, but would finish well ahead of the peloton.
Ferrari saw that the break would go all the way and attacked on the days final climb.
He got a gap of 20" over the top, and flew down the descent. He grew the gap to 56" which he held to the line to take his first proffesional win. The rest of the break came in almost 15'00 ahead of the peloton.
The BOTD took a long time to form, 50km, but in the end included 5 riders; Righi, Mamos, Fropporti, Mortensen and Timmer. This was the first day without a Shelterbox rider in the break.
The break got a maximum of 6'00 over the peloton, which lay dormant until the final 15km of the stage.
It was at 15km to go that Voeckler made his move, he rode away on the final big climb and took 20" by the top. Fedrigo countered and got 10", Cunego tried to counter but was swallowed by the main bunch.
Voeckler caught the leaders with 10km left and blew straight past.
Fuglsang tried to get away at 4.5km to gom but could only get a bike length or two.
Voeckler stayed clear to win his 4th stage of the race, and take the GC win.
Transfer News Flash;
Shelterbox-Unicef has announced the siging of Sultan Lugovtsov.
The 18yo Fighter from Russia is widley recognised as a future great in his disipline. Shelterbox have offered him a 3 year deal, starting as a trainee later in the season.
News Flash;
At the start of the Osterreich Rundfarht it was announced that 3 manufacturers were in competition to supply Shelterbox with their bikes for the rest of the season. The deal has gone to Bianchi, who will supply their top end Bianchi Olre Carbon bikes to the end of the year.
Stage 2 - Flat;
Visconti leads KoM
Bakelants wins solo
Stage 3 - Hilly;
Ferrari rides solo for almost whole day
Ferrari takes KoM lead
Voeckler wins and takes GC lead
Van Garderen 4th and 2nd in GC
Stage 4 - Flat;
Voeckler wins solo
Voecklers 3rd win
Stage 5 - Hilly;
Ferrari extends KoM lead
Fedrigo wins
Voeckler 2nd
Van Garderen 3rd
Stage 6 - Mountain;
Nober solo from start till final climb
Ferrari extends KoM lead
Fedrigo wins
Van Garderen 2nd
Stage 7 - Flat;
Ferrari seals KoM jersey
Ferrari takes solo win
Stage 8 - Hilly;
Voeckler wins solo
Voeckler wins GC + Points
Van Garderen wins young rider + 3rd in GC
Ferrari wins KoM
Shelterbox win the Team competition
Following Shelterbox-Unicef's succes in Austria we have high hopes for the Chinese race.
The Team will be another strong one, looking to cover all possibilities.
Both Voeckler and Van Garderen will be there, both in capacity as joint-leaders, with emphasis shifting depending on results.
Ben Swift will be our choice sprinter, with the first few flat stages really suiting him.
He will be supported by Fabio Felline, the young italien will shepard him over the hills, and lead out his sprint.
Atepuma and Nober will make the trip, as will american Tom Danielson.
The final rider will be John Augustyn, the RSA climber will be hoping to emulate Ferrari's success in the KoM competition.
We will be targeting the overall win, points jersey, and kom jersey if possible, as well as a few stage wins.
This will also be the first run of our new Bianchis, and a tough ride it will be.
See you in China
Edited by Wiley on 03-08-2011 15:32
